The 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar is just around the corner, but Australia are looking to the past by announcing a 23-man Team of the Century – featuring Tim Cahill and Aaron Mooy.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Socceroos’ first men’s ‘A’ international fixture in Dunedin. The 22nd Fifa World Cup, and the first held in the Middle East, also marks their sixth appearance at a finals and fifth in succession after edging Peru in a play-off this June.
Australia needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome the South American nation in the inter-confederation play-off path. Andrew Redmayne secured the Socceroos a place in Group D with France, Denmark and Tunisia after denying Alex Valera from 12-yards out to win 5-4.
Australia have exited the past three World Cups in the group stages after making their sole Round of 16 appearance in 2006. The Germany edition 16 years ago was also the Oceanian country’s return to the Fifa competition having failed to qualify across the previous 32 years.
Australia recognise 2006 World Cup boss Guus Hiddink as Coach of the Century
So, in honour of the 100th anniversary of Australia’s first men’s ‘A’ international match, the Socceroos have announced a 23-man Team of the Century. The team, coach and assistants were chosen from over 110,000 votes by fans, plus Football Australia’s Panel of Historians.
Australia have recognised Guus Hiddink as their Head Coach of the Century after the Dutch tactician took charge of 13 games between 2005 and 2006. His tenure included guiding the country to the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany after finishing second in Group F.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou, along with Rale Rasic and Graham Arnold have been chosen as the assistant coaches. Postecoglou managed the Socceroos from 2013 to 2017 over 49 games, after his previous spells in charge of the national set-up’s Under-20 and U17 teams.
Socceroos select Mark Schwarzer among goalkeepers in Team of the Century
Three goalkeepers made Australia’s 23-man Team of the Century, as chosen by Socceroos supporters. Jimmy McNabb was one of the Oceanian country’s earliest shot-stoppers with a career between the sticks worth 17-caps, including saving a penalty to edge England 4-3.
Australia have also recognised 110-cap hero Mark Schwarzer as one of their best over the past 100 years. The Sydney native, who enjoyed spells with Middlesbrough, Fulham and Chelsea at domestic level, was their No.1 in the net during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Mat Ryan is the only active Australia international to make the Team of the Century among the goalkeepers chosen. The former Valencia, Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal and current Copenhagen shot-stopper made his Socceroos bow in 2012 and became a captain in 2019.
Supporters name seven defenders in Australia All-Star squad
Scott Chipperfield, Craig Moore, Peter Wilson, Lucas Neill, Alex Tobin, Tony Vidmar and Joe Marston have all been recognised for their efforts for the Socceroos, with seven defenders named in the All-Star team for the past century after playing key roles in Australia’s story.
Vidmar also enjoyed a spell in the Socceroos set-up off the pitch after taking charge of the U17 side between 2013 and 2017. The 77-cap former left-back from Adelaide took up the position after a spell as the U17 assistant coach and is now an assistant at Melbourne City.
Aaron Mooy and Harry Kewell headline midfield selections for Socceroos side
Mooy and Kewell headline the midfield selections for Australia’s Team of the Century after proving to be modern-day greats with the Socceroos. Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton, Mile Jedinak and Johnny Warren join them in occupying spots in the All-Star side’s engine room.
Kewell recorded 56-caps with 17 goals for Australia between 1996 and 2012, including the goal that took the Socceroos through to the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup. Croatia led the Oceanian country 2-1 in the final Group F tie before Kewell hit the net in the 79th minute.
His goal ensured Australia took four points from their three fixtures, as a defeat to Croatia would have seen Vatreni advance instead with four points from the Socceroos on two. The one-time Champions League winner with Liverpool’s effort was his only hit at a World Cup.
Mooy, meanwhile, will look to play in a second World Cup in Qatar this year after featuring in three games at the 2018 edition in Russia. The Celtic midfielder and former Brighton ace has been a part of the Socceroos set-up since debuting under Holger Osieck back in 2012.
Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka lead seven-strong strike force in Socceroos set-up
Cahill and Mark Viduka would lead the seven-strong strike force in the Socceroo’s All-Star set-up over the past 100 years. The pair are joined by John Aloisi, Reg Date, John Kosmina, Judy Masters and Alf Quill as the attacking players within Australia’s Team of the Century.
Sydney native Cahill enjoyed 108-caps with the Socceroos for 50 goals between 2004 and 2018. The 42-year-old also registered five goals and one assist across appearances at four World Cup finals, with two goals in 2006, one strike in 2010 and another two hits in 2014.
Cahill’s efforts directly led to Australia winning their only match at the 2006 tournament in Germany with a brace and an assist to beat Japan 3-1. His only goal in South Africa also led to the Socceroos taking their only win in 2010 after heading the opener to beat Serbia 2-1.
Viduka, meanwhile, found the net 11 times over his 43 appearances for Australia between 1994 to 2007. The former Celtic, Leeds United and Newcastle United attacker’s Socceroos career also took in captaining his nation throughout their return to the World Cup in 2006.
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